Please help me build my dream SPS cube!

[Madoktopus]

Hi guys,

I currently have a juwel Lido but I am getting the itch to upgrade to a 24x24x30 I have laying about in the spare room. The problem is that the cube is poorly designed and needs an overhaul with new methods and technology. NEED your input

So first things first, its a 24x24x30 deep cube made by seabray with black silicone edges. It has a weir on the right hand side which has a central straight pipe leading to an open sump. The cabinet is the same dimensions as the tank with a hole in the back for cabling.

I ony have the one pic at the mo which is a top down giving some indication of the weir position and supports.

(please excuse crap in and around tank).


This tank will be primarily for the growth of SPS and lots of small fish.

Let's discuss plumbing. As mentioned the tank currently has a single hole drilled with a straight pipe leading all the way down (will find size later). In the past, I had made a durso to top it but it was always incredibly noisy leading to the tank's demise.

Options:

1).Keep single pipe and modify to keep noise down.
2). Drill another hole and another weir.
3). keep single pipe but put on a Y connector and try to squeeze in two stockman style tops.
4). Remove weir completly and go for two Xaqua Xinouts
5). Combination of weir and Xinout
6). Other not specified

so far, i'm leaning on number four after having a look a Scoob's awesome tank. However, I dont know how realistic this this or how i would bung the hole considering the pipework is glued in place. Furthermore, would removing the weir affect the structual integrity of the tank?

Anothing that is bugging me is that central cross bar. Could that be moved so that the bracing is just around the edge of the tank? it would be much easier for lighting.

thoughts greatly appreciated.

 

[Madoktopus]

So once i've decided on a course of action for the plumbing, the next step is getting some decent lighting over the tank. With the water level being 30" deep this is going to be difficult for an SPS set up.

I currently have the following that could be used:

Arcadia 250w halide + 2x T8 unit
70W halide
Iquatics 6x T5 unit

OR i could buy something new. I would like to recycle the above if at all possible - maybe use the T5's in conjunction with an LED unit?

anyone shed some light?

 

[Bello]

I'd go with the X-Aqua's...seem really neat!

You could use the t5 fixture and supplement them with LED strips, though with that height, you'd probably need optics on them.

Due to the height of the tank, I'd be wary about removing the central brace. How thick is the glass though?

 

[Madoktopus]

Thanks for the input Bello, I'll have to find out for you. I dont want the central brace reomoved completely, just moved the the back pane where this is currently only a half size brace?

Perhaps using the t5 fixture toward the rear and two par38 lamps mounted on the front facing towards the middle ?

 

[Bello]

From the pics, it seems that the glass is 12mm, could be wrong....

If you were to go with the x-aqua's, you'd remove the weir, right? You could then remove the central brace, and go with side bracing on all 4 sides? That'll hold.

Do you plan to have a canopy over the tank? Think strip led's on either side of the t5's would look better, though, I do love the par38 hanging look too. You could go with only par38's, 5 of 'em? Pricey....

 

[Madoktopus]

Just had a measure and the glass appears to be 12mm or 3/8th thick on the back pane, so I assume this is all the way around. The weir itself takes up a 5 and half square inches of the tanks bottom, but the internal measurement for pipe fitting is only 4 inches square. The female pipe connectors appear to have a bore of 33mm (40mm exterior) and the thinner pipes appear to be 28mm (33mm exterior).

Yes that would be the plan, install two xaquas and do away with weir altogether and then move the centre brace to the back pane. I just wasnt sure if this would be structurally sound.

there is no canopy, just the trim that goes around the top as per the photo. I was thinking about all Par38, but as you say pricy ans seems a waste since i have equipment right here! If i could move the central brace back, I could have the t5 unit and maybe 2-3 par38 together.
, although im not sure if i would have the LEDs at the front for better coverage or the back for easier installation.

 

[consumed corals]

is there any place that has the Xaqua Xinouts>? I have never been able to find them. They seem like an enigma!

 

[Bello]

Just had a measure and the glass appears to be 12mm or 3/8th thick on the back pane, so I assume this is all the way around. The weir itself takes up a 5 and half square inches of the tanks bottom, but the internal measurement for pipe fitting is only 4 inches square. The female pipe connectors appear to have a bore of 33mm (40mm exterior) and the thinner pipes appear to be 28mm (33mm exterior).

Cool, so you'll definitely be saving some space there. The X-Aqua's are pretty neat, should look great.

While I do like the Par38's, it just seems that you'll have their shimmer only in the front or back. It may not be uniform, as opposed to using led strips. But really can't say, and you'll only know for sure once you get them on.

No canopy sounds better! Never really liked canopies...

 

[Madoktopus]

is there any place that has the Xaqua Xinouts>? I have never been able to find them. They seem like an enigma!

I dont know mate, I live in England, avaliablity much better here since these are italian import. fleabay?

Originally Posted by Madoktopus
Just had a measure and the glass appears to be 12mm or 3/8th thick on the back pane, so I assume this is all the way around. The weir itself takes up a 5 and half square inches of the tanks bottom, but the internal measurement for pipe fitting is only 4 inches square. The female pipe connectors appear to have a bore of 33mm (40mm exterior) and the thinner pipes appear to be 28mm (33mm exterior).!

Cool, so you'll definitely be saving some space there. The X-Aqua's are pretty neat, should look great.

While I do like the Par38's, it just seems that you'll have their shimmer only in the front or back. It may not be uniform, as opposed to using led strips. But really can't say, and you'll only know for sure once you get them on.

No canopy sounds better! Never really liked canopies... !

Gonna take some time. Hoping for some more input before i commit to anything yet.